Denton: Howard One of Five Players with More Than 1.4 million All-Star Votes
By John Denton
December 31, 2009
Note: The contents of this page have not been reviewed or endorsed by the Orlando Magic. All opinions expressed by John Denton are solely his own and do not reflect the opinions of the Orlando Magic or their Basketball Operations staff, partners or sponsors. His sources are not known to the Magic and he has no special access to information beyond the access and privileges that go along with being an NBA accredited member of the media.
ORLANDO – Fresh off his 23rd double-double of the season, Orlando Magic star center Dwight Howard strengthened his bid to start the NBA All-Star Game on Feb. 14.
The third returns of the all-star balloting revealed on Thursday that Howard is fourth overall in votes and tops among all centers with 1,479,625 votes. Howard set a NBA All-Star record last season with 3.1 million votes and is well on his way to playing in his fourth consecutive all-star game and making his third straight start.
The 2010 NBA All-Star Game will be played at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, before what could be the largest crowd ever to witness a live basketball game (80,000).
Paper balloting for the all-stars ends Jan. 10, while fans can vote online until Jan. 18. The starters will be announced on Jan. 21, while the reserves will be announced on Jan. 28.
Howard, who had 17 points and 10 rebounds in Orlando’s 117-92 defeat of the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night, ranks first in the NBA in rebounds (13.3) and blocked shots (2.52). The NBA’s reigning Defensive Player of Yeare became just the fifth player in NBA history to lead the league in both categories last season.
Howard has a comfortable lead over Cleveland’s Shaquille O’Neal (536,681) in the voting among Eastern Conference centers. Howard’s Magic (23-8) begin a three-game roadtrip Friday night at 8 p.m. against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Los Angeles guard Kobe Bryant (1,606,032), Cleveland forward LeBron James (1,579,530) and Dwyane Wade (1,539,968) are the top three overall vote-getters, followed by Orlando’s Howard. Orlando star guard Vince Carter, who has received 651,749 votes, ranks third among Eastern Conference guards, trailing Allen Iverson (806,749 votes) and Wade.
Kevin Garnett (1,317,739 votes) and James lead Eastern Conference forwards in voting. Orlando’s Rashard Lewis is 10th with 114,359 votes.
Houston’s Tracy McGrady and Bryant are the Western Conference leaders at guard, while Carmelo Anthony and Dirk Nowitzki are tops among the forwards. Phoenix center Amare Stoudemire, an Orlando native, is the top vote-getter at center in the West.
John Denton writes for Orlandomagic.com. His Orlando Magic ``Behind the Scenes’’ segment can be heard on ESPN 1080 AM on Thursday at 5:05 p.m. Submit questions to John for his ``Ask J.D.’’ mailbag feature that will appear every Friday at AskJD@orlandomagic.com.
By John DentonDecember 31, 2009
Note: The contents of this page have not been reviewed or endorsed by the Orlando Magic. All opinions expressed by John Denton are solely his own and do not reflect the opinions of the Orlando Magic or their Basketball Operations staff, partners or sponsors. His sources are not known to the Magic and he has no special access to information beyond the access and privileges that go along with being an NBA accredited member of the media.
ORLANDO – Fresh off his 23rd double-double of the season, Orlando Magic star center Dwight Howard strengthened his bid to start the NBA All-Star Game on Feb. 14.
The third returns of the all-star balloting revealed on Thursday that Howard is fourth overall in votes and tops among all centers with 1,479,625 votes. Howard set a NBA All-Star record last season with 3.1 million votes and is well on his way to playing in his fourth consecutive all-star game and making his third straight start.
The 2010 NBA All-Star Game will be played at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, before what could be the largest crowd ever to witness a live basketball game (80,000).
Paper balloting for the all-stars ends Jan. 10, while fans can vote online until Jan. 18. The starters will be announced on Jan. 21, while the reserves will be announced on Jan. 28.
Howard, who had 17 points and 10 rebounds in Orlando’s 117-92 defeat of the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night, ranks first in the NBA in rebounds (13.3) and blocked shots (2.52). The NBA’s reigning Defensive Player of Yeare became just the fifth player in NBA history to lead the league in both categories last season.
Howard has a comfortable lead over Cleveland’s Shaquille O’Neal (536,681) in the voting among Eastern Conference centers. Howard’s Magic (23-8) begin a three-game roadtrip Friday night at 8 p.m. against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Los Angeles guard Kobe Bryant (1,606,032), Cleveland forward LeBron James (1,579,530) and Dwyane Wade (1,539,968) are the top three overall vote-getters, followed by Orlando’s Howard. Orlando star guard Vince Carter, who has received 651,749 votes, ranks third among Eastern Conference guards, trailing Allen Iverson (806,749 votes) and Wade.
Kevin Garnett (1,317,739 votes) and James lead Eastern Conference forwards in voting. Orlando’s Rashard Lewis is 10th with 114,359 votes.
Houston’s Tracy McGrady and Bryant are the Western Conference leaders at guard, while Carmelo Anthony and Dirk Nowitzki are tops among the forwards. Phoenix center Amare Stoudemire, an Orlando native, is the top vote-getter at center in the West.
John Denton writes for Orlandomagic.com. His Orlando Magic ``Behind the Scenes’’ segment can be heard on ESPN 1080 AM on Thursday at 5:05 p.m. Submit questions to John for his ``Ask J.D.’’ mailbag feature that will appear every Friday at AskJD@orlandomagic.com.
